California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIBB)
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The Center for Indian Community Development California Rural Indian Health Board (CRIBB) liil his year marks the 25th anniver- provided by the Indian Health 1.11 sary of the California Rural Indian Service, however, in Califor Health Board (CRIHB). CRIHB origi nia, Indians were considered nally began with nine Rural Indian Health lucky if they got an occasional CALIFORNIA RURAL Demonstration Projects coming together visit from a public health nurse to form one new non-profit organiza or were able to access the two INDIAN HEALTH BOARD tion. The organization has continued to Indian Health Service hospi be an advocate for the health care needs tals in the state. of all Indians in California. Currently, there are 27 tribes who have given CRIHB In 1953, huge changes oc a resolution for the delivery of health curred in California, as well as care at 12 different health care programs across the nation. In a sweep of throughout California. Their budget has their legislative arm, the state increased from an 18-month budget of of California and federal gov $245,000 to a three year budget of $37.4 ernment called for the termi 'n. Although there has definitely nation of federal authority over _tps and downs, CRIHB has been Indian lands (Assembly Joint o weather the storm and still exist as Resolution 38), terminated the one of the most influential organizations IHS for Indians in California in California "Indian Country." (HCR 108), and extended state jurisdiction over health care, It is important to note that previous criminal offenses committed C R I H B to the development of CRIHB, there was in Indian country, and other little, if any, health care available to most matters (Public Law 83-280). California Indians. There were a number of reasons for this, namely because the The state said that it would assume which is typically over-extended and lack of interest and funds from the state responsibility for the health care needs of under-funded. To make matters worse, and federal governments. Prior to 1953, the California Indians, but Indian people the termination legislation called for the Indian health care was supposed to be were not a priority in the state budget, termination of rancherias and whole tribal entities. The Bureau of Indian Affairs quickly ended all aspects of special status ' for the Indians affected by the legislation, Inside This Issue which, in concept, was similar to the ab rogation of treaties which occurred in .::· : .· .. other states. Allleiican Indian Programs and Clubs on Campus ···· ···· 3 Language Program Specialist Project Status Report 4 Although California's treaties were Native AmedcanLanguage Issues Institute Conference Report 4 never ratified, rancherias and reserva Meet Joe Giovannetti 5 tions were established by executive order ·Local TfibesUpdate . 6 and legislation, with the understanding Joint Resolutlon Jn the Senate (}f the United States 7 that these federal enclaves would remain The Indian TeacHer Educational Personnel Program Update 8 for the native people as long as they continued to exist. These land bases, and Tolbwa Language Pocketbook Complete<} 10 limited services such as health care and (cont'd on page 2) education, were a small price to pay for The California Rural Indian H e~th the loss of millions of acres of homelands. Boards tart-up money was initially funded By terminating the tribes, and then failing with a $50,000 grant from the Donner Foun to provide services, the governments were dation. Headquarters were opened in essentially reneging all agreements made Berkeley, and Don Donaldson was hired as in the past. CRIHB's first Executive Director. AroLmd the same time, Senator George Moscone Although this policy was finally ended in was instrumental in the passage of SB providing fi cal :::c:- : __: ~ =:- -- '0 1970, the number of reservations/ rancherias 1397 which established and funded the incredible time oi gc.c- -::..- ::_:: ~ in California went from 117 to 78. After a Indian Health Unit in the California Public started in abandoneci ~- :- - _:....:-=-- great deal of expense and effort, and the Health Department, which was to pro second hand medical eq:..:_::-=:-~;-: Tillie Hardwick Decision in 1983, seven vide technical assistance and contract with purchased, and dental o :~ ~ -,.'0 teen tribes have been "Lm terminated" with these expanding Indian health programs. opened in cramped quarter , burp: federally recognized status, and others was being made. are continuing to follow suit. At the federal level, the Director of Indian Health Service, Dr. Emory Johnson, In 1975, the passage of the Self In the 60's, Native Americans were recommended to the Department of Determination and Education Assistance inspired by the Civil Rights Movement, Health, Education and Welfare Act (PL 93-638) put some teeth into the and began to reassert themselves politi (HEW) that the Indian Health Service federal policy implemented previously cally, and new training opportunities again provide services to California. and also provided a mechanism for tribes were created through the Office of Eco Following his recommendation, plans to contract with both the Indian Health nomic Opportunity programs. This train were made for IHS to enter into con-tracts Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs for ing laid the foundation, and provided the with CRIHB, and in 1969 IHS opened a Cali services that addressed their needs. At means for the development of new ideas fornia office in Sacramento. With a new the same time, a lawsuit was filed by the and organizations which would address administration under President Nixon, Rincon Band of Mission Indians against the issues of healthcare and education in federal Indian policy was changed, to the Secretary of HEW, as a class action the Indian community. The time was ripe focus on Indian Self-Determination, in lawsuit on behalf of all Indians in Califor for a new organization, The California stead of Termination, which accelerated nia to force the Indian Health Service to Rural Indian Health Project, which later the implementation of health services in provide the same level and scope of ser grew into CRIHB in 1969. California's rural areas. vices in California that they provided else where in the country. In 1980 the US Court of Appeals, for the Ninth Circui.t- ., upheld the District Court decision in f of the tribes, saying that the way they been making their funding decisions was not legally appropriate. THE MISSION OF CALIFORNIA RURAL INDIAN HEALTH BOARD Over the next few years, CRIHB would decide to become a "638" organi CRIHB, sanctioned by Tribal governments, and Indian controlled, is committed to the development of policies zation, which would enable it to contract and services which will elevate the health and social conditions of Native American peoples of rural California out for their member tribes to the IHS for to the highest possible level, by means of Program Development, Legislation and Advocacy, Financial funding. However, court battles and poli Resources Development, Training and Technical Assistance, Shared Services and Benefits, and Consensus tics created more hurdles, and it wasn't Building. until 1984 that CRIHB received its first CENTRAL VALLEY INDIAN HEALTH REDDING RANCHERIA TRIBAL TULE RIVER INDIAN HEALTH "638" contract from IHS. In the meantime Emmaline Hammond HEALTH CLINIC CENTER, INC. they obtained funds from a variety of Bennie Roberts Edward "Bob" Foreman Michele McDarment Brenda Spidle Larry DeSoto sources including, but not limited to: GREENVILLE RANCHERIA TRIBAL government sources, private fmmdations, HEALTH PROGRAM SONOMA COUNTY INDIAN TUOLUMNE RURAL INDIAN HEALTH Marjorie Timmons HEALTH PROJECT, INC. Dennis Hendricks local fundraising campaigns, and contri Louie Barlese, Jr. Anita Silva Mike Hammer, Sr. butions of labor and supplies. Charlotte Wagner KARUK TRIBAL HEALTH PROGRAM UNITED INDIAN HEALTH Alvis "Bud" Johnson TOIYABE INDIAN HEALTH SERVICES, INC. The late 1980's \\·ere '-·ears 0~ ..a.- -'0 ....,:= Richard Johnson PROJECT, INC. Frank Scott and ne,,- legislation •·:l:l.;c.--: o ~c."lc-.i :ce-·. Joseph Saulque Joy Sundberg doors: The Federal Tere C~-:c:: _..\c: ,., PIT RIVE:R HEALTH SERVICES Barbara Durham La Verna Jenkins MOUNTAIN INDIAN extended to Ind:an rribal or"'a.:uza ·o - Jessica Jim TRINITY RURAL INDIAN HEALTH HEALTH and health care contrac ors, thu elimi PROJECT, INC. Ralph DeGarmo nating the need -or m alpractice insur Eva Mastel Glenda Davis ance; an Indian Religious Program \,-ithin the State Department of Corrections,_,- - de1·eloped by the Committee for T (cont'd on pa 2 ....._ THE MESSE NG ER Indian Natural Resource, Science graduate programs in the sciences, such group of American Indians and Alaska and Engineering Program (INRSEP), as ecology and medicine. INRSEP spon Natives for credentialing as teachers, McMahon House 80, (707) 826-4994: sors student activities including the counselors, and ed uca tiona! personnel for INRSEP is a support program for Ameri IN RSEP Club, HSU Student Drum, Indian communities and public schools. can Indian and Alaska native students AISES and the Society for the Advance Although the majority of ITEPP stu pursuing degrees in the sciences and na tu ment of Chicano and Native Americans dents will be going directly into a teach ral resource disciplines. With the advice in Science (SACNAS). ing or educational career, some have of an academic advisor, students develop Indian Teacher and Educational Per gone through the program to go to law an individual major program w ithin the sonnel Program (ITEPP). Spidell House school, or another graduate program, Individual Design option. Personal coun 85, (707) 826-3672: ITEPPprovidesAmeri with the intention of going back to work seling, career counseling, and lower divi can Indian and Alaska Native students for their tribes. ITEPP services were sion academic advising are key elements w ith academic counselling, academic sup especially helpful in making their in the support program.